The tiny town of Carbondale, Colorado is 30 minutes outside of Aspen. It seems an unlikely place to find a renowned museum until you understand the significance it held for artists and art lovers during the heyday of the Pop Art movement. John Powers co-founded the Aspen Center for Contemporary Art in 1965, and for decades, the artists-in-residence program drew dozens of the country’s most avant-garde artists to live and work in this spectacular setting. Thanks in part to his efforts and enthusiasm, the arts became part of the soul of the Roaring Fork Valley.

After living in Aspen, John and his wife, Kimiko, bought a 460-acre ranch in the shadow of Mount Sopris. The land was mostly pasture operated by the Martins, a family of cattle ranchers, and John and Kimiko felt a strong sense of responsibility to preserve its pristine beauty and productivity. Today, the scenery is virtually unchanged—a conservation easement protects the vital land surrounding the museum, and the herds that graze the fertile fields belong to the third generation of the Martin family. They work in close partnership with Powers family to preserve the ranch landscape.

Like the shallow pool on the terrace reflects the mountainscape, the Powers Art Center reflects John and Kimiko’s personal values of connection, conservation, and community. We consider ourselves humble stewards of the assets in our care. We dedicate ourselves to the service of the Carbondale community and the preservation of this remarkable collection of art.